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bossy¹ Definition

bossy (bôsē)

adjective bossi·er, bossi·est

Informal acting like a boss, as by ordering people about; domineering

Etymology: boss + -y

bossy¹ Related Forms

bossi·ness noun

bossy² Definition

bossy (bôsē, bäsē)

adjective

decorated with bosses; studded

Etymology: boss + -y

bossy³ Definition

bossy (bäsē, bôsē)

noun

cow

Etymology: boss + -y

bossy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • get: I can tell when she is getting bossy and recall her.
  • seem: That might seem just a little bossy to us.
  • become: Lulu She has finally found her spot within the group and has even started to become a bit bossy.

Adjective modifier

little: That might seem just a little bossy to us.

Modifies a noun

  • sister: Now all they need to do is to escape from Annie's bossy older sister.
  • woman: He wasn't going to be told off by this bossy old woman.
  • boot: And now he licks his lips at the prospect of a Federal European Superstate with yet more opportunities to put on his bossy boots.
  • friend: Teased by his bossy friend Angela, Chuckie feels even worse about his situation.
  • nurse: Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse.
  • parent: Fascist regimes tumble; bossy parents get rejected by their children; oppressive services spawn angry, vengeful survivors.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: This is King's story, a much loved GSD with a rather bossy personality.
  • quite: Only for sale as he is a confident horse who is quite bossy and likes to get his own way.
  • too: Try not to take your work worries home with you or get too bossy.
  • very: Questioned about Lady Thatcher's opinion, he said: ' I don't actually think I'm a very bossy person at all.
  • so: She was so bossy, Gemma and I once ran away in protest.
  • not: Make me thoughtful but not moody: helpful but not bossy.

Noun used with modifier

bit: Lulu She has finally found her spot within the group and has even started to become a bit bossy.

Used with adjective complement

  • get: Try not to take your work worries home with you or get too bossy.
  • become: Some people are apparently worried that MS might become too bossy about what software their OS can run.

Preposition: with

dog: Alfie on right of picture No children under 10 as he can be a little bossy with other dogs.